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(No Model.)

G'.. W. PRENTICE.

BUTTON.

No. 306,101. Patented Oct. '7, 1884.

WITNESSES,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE IV. PRENTIOE, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

BUTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 306,101, dated October 7, 1884.

Application tiled February 4, 1884.

ings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My present invention relates to a new and useful improvement in the art of the manufac ture of buttons or button-heads; and it consists, essentially, of the material of which they are designed to be made.

Heretofore it has been the custom to form the buttons, especially those that are molded from plastic material, of leather, paper, or

other kindred substances ,of such a nature as render them objectionable for various reasons, which is theobject of my present invention to obviate.

To this end my invention consists of the employment of wood pulp pressed into re-. quired form, and adapted for use as willbe hereinafter more clearly described.

To illustrate my invention I refer to the drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a button such as is commonly sewed on garments with thread; Fig. 2, a button -head' formed upon a staple-fastening; Fig. 3, a buttonhead adapted to be attached to fabric by means of a tack or screw fastenings, and Fig. 4c represents a common eye-shank shoebutton.

I have shown these several views of different forms of buttons to illustrate my invention, which is to adapt it to any desired form of button-head, irrespective of the fastening device employed, and for which devices I make no claim in the present instance otherwise than in combination.

Io this end my invention consists of a button, A, composed of a macerated wood fiber, or, as is more specially called, wood pulp, pressed or molded into any required form under a heavy pressure by the employment of dies specially designed for that purpose.

(No model.)

During the process of manufacture the buttons are embossed or shaped into any desired design in imitation of the configuration of the material it is designed to be used on; also, the pulp is susceptible of being colored in any desired shade to match a fabric by means of aniline dyes or other suitable coloring-matter, and when completed the color will not wear off or turn, as is the case of other surface-colored buttons.

As before stated, the button can be used with any desired form of fastening, as it is only necessary to introduce such fastenings into the wood pulp previous to its being pressed into form to strongly attach them to the head or button, which is particularly desirable in .an eye-shank button, as shown in Fig. 4, rendering it impossible to pull the eye out unless the head of the button is destroyed. In form ing a button shown in Fig. 1 having holesfor sewing to garments, it is peculiarly adapted,

'the holes being formed during the pressure incidental to the manufacture, rendering the corners smooth and not liable to cut or chafe the thread used in attachment; also, as before stated, the button can be made to match the color and configuration of the fabric on which it is used. The wood pulp also makes a serviceable button for garments that are exposed to the atmosphere, as when properly varnished they are rendered impervious to moisture, and the form and color are retained, notwithstanding the friction occasioned by such contact or by use and wear, all of which are important features in the employment of wood pulp.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A button composed entirely of wood pulp molded or pressed into form, and provided with suitable attaching devices, substantially as set forth.

2. A button composed of wood pulp, provided with suitable attaching devices and thoroughly permeated with coloring-matter,

substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. PRENTIGE. lVitnesses CHARLES GREENE, FRANKLIN A. SMITH, Jr. 

